Manchester United have emerged as the favourites to capture the signing of Inter Milan star Marcelo Brozovic, who is a target for Barcelona and Real Madrid.
According to a report from El Nacional, Marcelo Brozovic looks primed to leave Inter Milan at the end of the season, with Manchester United believed to be leading the race for the midfielder, who is also on the radars of Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Brozovic has been with Inter Milan since 2015 when he arrived from Dinamo Zagreb. Initially signed on loan, the Croatian’s transfer was made permanent in the summer of 2016. A mainstay in the middle of the park for most of his tenure in Italy, the 29-year-old has established himself as one of the best in his position in Serie A and Europe.
A veteran of 267 appearances for Inter, Brozovic was an integral part of the team that lifted the Serie A title last season. He has continued to play a vital role under new manager Simone Inzaghi this season but could soon be departing San Siro as his contract at the end of the season.
The Nerazzurri are not able to meet his wage demands, leading to an impasse in talks, piquing the interest of top clubs in Europe. Barcelona, Real Madrid and Manchester United have all been linked with a move for the Croatian international.
Barcelona have shown an interest in signing players for free of late due to their financial situation and identified Brozovic as a transfer target. The 29-year-old would have been an ideal fit for the Catalan giants as the successor for midfield mainstay and club captain Sergio Busquets who has shown signs of slowing down with age.
However, as per the report, despite their interest, much like Inter Milan, the Blaugrana too cannot afford to meet his wage demands and, as a result, have decided to end their pursuit of the Croatian international.
As for Real Madrid, their interest in the former Dinamo Zagreb ace is being driven by manager Carlo Ancelotti, who is a great admirer of the midfielder’s abilities. The report even adds that Brozovic has been offered to Los Blancos by his representatives, with the ball now in the court of president Florentino Perez.
But, as things stand, the Merengues already have several options for the deep midfield role in Casemiro, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde, and the young Antonio Blanco coming through the ranks. As a result, they may shy away from signing the midfielder next summer, which has installed Manchester United as favourites to land him.
The Red Devils need a proper defensive midfielder in their ranks for a while now. Nemanja Matic has been reduced a bit-part role over the past eighteen months, while Fred and Scott McTominay have not been convincing consistently enough. Someone of Brozovic’s proven pedigree would be just what the doctor ordered for Manchester United.
What now remains to be seen is whether the 20-time English champions try and seal the deal for Brozovic by reaching a pre-contract agreement with him next month.
